Yeonpyeongdo Island is a small island resided by fishing communities. Despite the tragic incident of November 2010 shelling from North Korea, this bucolic island offers many natural and cultural attractions. Island History The earliest known history of Socheongdo Island comes from Chungmin-sa Temple, which was built to commemorate the island's once abundant but now extinct fish species called Yellow corbina (Sciaenidae). This fish was related to the family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make. When the economy flourished thanks to profitable fishing, the Socheongdo port was congested with fishing boats, so much that it was said that one could cross from one island to the next by walking over boats. The species of fish is depleted, and the island remains as quiet with views of North Korea. In November 2010, Socheongdo Island was hit by the fatal shelling from North Korea that killed two civilians and two soldiers. In recent months, the island has made an attempt to recover its tourism industry and to develop security tourism by blending its newer military presence at tourist attractions.

Located in Jongdal-ri (Gujwa-eup, Jeju City), Yongnuni Oreum (also called Yonganak, literally meaning ‘Dragon Eye Mountain’) is a parasitic volcano almost 250 meters in x_height. Various craters and lava hills mingle together, and the front side of the mountain shows picturesque landscapes, typical in Jeju oreums with an abundance of lush grass. The outskirts of the mountain are full of natural plants such as Ranunculus japonicus, Pulsatilla koreana, and Elsholtzia splendens.The name, Yongnuni Oreum, is derived from the fact that the mountain looks like the shape of a dragon lying down. The large crater in the middle of the hill looks like a place where a dragon used to lay. Some people have argued that the name comes from the crater looking like a dragon's eye when seen from the air. 

The Jungwon Tappyeongni 7-story stone tower (National Treasure No. 6) is often referred to simply as “Jungangtap” (“Central Tower”) because of its location at the center of Korea. Standing at a x_height of 14.5 meters, the tower is presumed to have been built during the Unified Silla Period. An outdoor sculpture park (the first of its kind in Chungcheongbuk-do Province) has been established in the grassy area around the tower and contains 26 sculptures created by Korean sculptors. The larger Jungangtapsajeok Park is accented by gazebos, small fountains, a hiking path, and is home to the Chungju Museum, an outdoor museum, a musical fountain, 10 sculptures and etc. The park’s convenient facilities have made it a popular leisure retreat for the citizens of Chungju as well as an educational site for children. Chungjujojeongji Dam, located north of Jungangtapsajeok Park, is another popular retreat for the locals.

Batangol Arts Center is located in Yangpyeong. Because of the wonderful scenery of the surrounding lake and mountains, many people visit throughout the year. Batangol Arts Center is not merely a concert or exhibition hall, but also a place for visitors to participate in artistic activities and become artists themselves. It is a highly recommended place for foreigners who want to experience traditional Korean culture. You can participate in various activities at the art gallery, workshop, the ceramics workshop and the outdoor exhibition of the Batangol Art Center. One place you should not miss is the ceramics workshop. Here you can have the chance to actually make ceramics yourself. It is an interesting and fun experience for foreigners. After you finish shaping the mud clay, your work is completed by being baked in a traditional Korean pottery kiln. You can create your personal painting using the various dyeing materials. In the Hand-made Paper Room you can make paper with mulberry.Try making a card or a frame with the hand-made paper. It will be a nice present for friends and family. At the Batangol theater you can watch various genres of performances, from musicals to concerts. After seeing the artwork at the gallery, you can head to the cafe. It is a refreshing space where you can have a cup of tea while enjoying Mother Nature outside the window. The soothing scenery will x_heighten your taste buds and make the tea all the more refreshing. If you want to grab a bite before you leave Batangol, you can go to the Korean traditional restaurant, "Waegajip Bapsang." They have traditional dishes and snacks such as ramyeon and tteokbokki. There are more restaurants near the entrance of the Arts Center. 

Gwangneung (광릉) is located in Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do. This is the royal tomb of King Sejo (1417-1468, reign: 1455-1468) and Queen Jeonghui (1418-1483).The King and Queen are enshrined separately. The tomb on the left is King Sejo’s and the one on the right is Queen Jeonhui’s. A pavilion stands between the two tombs.King Sejo was the second son of King Sejong and Queen Soheon. When his nephew came to the throne following the death of King Munjong, he led a revolt, “Gyeyujeongnan (계유정난) Revolts" and in 1453 became the 7th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty.Queen Jeongui was the daughter of Yun Beon and became the Queen when King Sejo took the throne. She was the first figure in the history of the Joseon Dynasty who administered state affairs on behalf of a young king.Gwangneung is surrounded by forests where an abundance of wild plants grow. These well-managed forests have been designated as a National Arboretum by the Korean Forest Service. Gwangneung is also famous for being the habitat of the Korean redheaded woodpecker (Natural Monument No.11). With many evergreen trees such as pine trees and fir trees growing here, these forests are a good place for a scenic drive. 

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to the Gayageum (a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument) and Ureuk, the inventor of the Gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the Gayageum.

With an elevation of 583.7 m, Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산군립공원) in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do, has towering peaks all around and waterfalls that cascade between the surrounding rocks. Its deep valleys covered with thick forests have kept their natural beauty for centuries. There are also many cultural properties including the historic Gangcheonsa Temple, Samindae, Gangcheonsan Five-story Stone Pagoda and Geumseongsanseong Fortress. In the valley at the entrance of Gangcheonsa there is a stream of clear water flowing below from Doseongyo to Byeongpungbawi (wall-like precipitous rocks) with more than ten waterfalls each with a small pond below. If you pass between Gangcheonsa, an old temple, and Samindae, and continue walking on the path next to Heunghwajeong, you will see a 75 meter long hanging bridge at 50 meters high above the ground. To see it you have to strain your neck backwards to look up at it. After going up a steep hill and crossing the hanging bridge, you will get to a vista point where you can enjoy a wide view of the lovely Mt. Gangcheonsan. At an elevation of 300 meters, the mountain has a reservoir and a natural mountain fortress wall climbing 400 meters high. The type of maple trees found here are native to Korea, and have a long foliage period in autumn.

Geochang-gun is situated in the mountainous inland area in the northwestern part of Gyeongnam Province and shares borders with Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk provinces. Suseungdae (수승대) is located in Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원), which is located in the center of the adjoining three provinces. Suseungdae is one of Geochang’s oldest tourist attractions. Suseungdae was originally named ‘Susongdae’ since it was a place where Baekje dispatched its envoys to Shilla during the Three Kingdom Era. Later, in the Joseon Dynasty, the name was changed to Suseungdae. Old-style lecture halls and pavilions provide great lookout points for visitors. The attraction is also fully equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, a camp site, and various other facilities. On August evenings, it is also the place of The International Theatre Festival.

Goraebul Beach (고래불해수욕장) is located in Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do, its fine white sands stretch for 8kms giving way to clean seawaters, and it is shaded by a buttressing pine forest. The name ‘Goraebul’ originated from ‘Goraebbul’ (literally meaning ‘whale horn’ in Korean) referring to coastal sightings of whales spouting. Nearby local tourist attractions include Wijeong mineral spring and Jangyuksa Temple. In Goesi-ri, Yeonghae-myeon, there are many ancient buildings that can be seen throughout the area. Roughly 30 houses that are approximately 200 years old line the coastal drive. If you take the coastal drive and National Road #7 to the north, you can tour almost all of the famous tourist attractions that line the East Sea.  

The historical site of Hangpaduri is where the Sambyeolcho military unit of the Goryeo Dynasty resisted the invasion of Mongolia until the last possible moment. The site houses an exhibition hall, a monument, and a unique mud fortress. Nearby is Jangsumul Spring (Jangsu means general) which flowed from the footprints of General Kim Tong-jeong. Today, water from the spring cannot be used as drinking water. Sambyeolcho was a military unit of the Goryeo Dynasty. When the Goryeo Dynasty made peace with the Mongolian forces in February 1270 (the 11th year of King Wonjong), the Sambyeolcho special defense unit opposed it and launched a resistance movement. They moved their base to Jindo in Jeollanam-do but after suffering a huge defeat, they moved to Jeju-do and built Hangpaduseong Fortress. They continued to fight against the Mongolian forces for two more years there. However, all the members were killed in April 1273 (the 14th year of King Wonjong). This independent anti-Mongolian movement was born out the deeply patriotic belief in the need to safeguard the nation from foreign invasion. In 1977, the government invested 745 million won to restore part of the fortress and build a monument in commemoration of those who died in the war. The work was completed in June 1978.